Hinda wrote diaries at various points in her life. The four diaries in this collection related to her life in Brighton in 1941, 1943, 1965 and 1967.
The 1943 diary covers daily life during the Second World War in Brighton including numerous visits to the cinema. It also mentions air raids and the death of a pilot shot down by air defences.
The later diaries largely cover domestic events.
Three of the diaries (1941, 1943 and 1967) have been transcribed.
Hinda Harris was born in Stoke Newington, London and her parents owned a sweet shop in Stoke Newington High Street. In the mid-late 1930s her parents sold up and the family moved to 74 Lawrence Road, Hove. Hinda was the sister of Gordon Harris (see LIA/10).
During the Second World War the family evacuated to Swindon for a while, returning home to Hove in 1941. (Hinda's 1941 diary begins with returning to the empty house). Hinda is believed to have worked as a secretary and office assistant - possibly temping for various different companies. She was also keen on writing and was secretary to a local writers' circle.
Health problems forced her to cease work and became somewhat reclusive. She never married or had children.
Harris, Hinda (1916 -2003)
4 diaries and 14 scans of related photos and papers
The original diaries have been donated to the East Sussex Record Office. Digital copies of the photos and related papers have been donated to the East Sussex Record Office and are listed here; the originals remain with the contributors, Sophie and Sarah Harris.
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